UNDERSTANDING POLITICAL ACTORS’ PERCEPTIONS OF PUBLIC OPINION

ABSTRACT. According to Rounce, we have a limited understanding of how political actors involved in particular policy areas view, are affected by, and utilize public opinion. Semetko claims that studies of public opinion and political action are at an interdisciplinary crossroads. Cohen et al. write that much of what politicians do is driven by their belief in the power of media, which motivates their desire to be featured in news coverage. Manza and Cook maintain that the potential for public opinion (as measured in polls and surveys) to be a major factor in politics has increased dramatically. (pp. 124–128)